Colorado State University-Pueblo welcomes applications from all persons interested in post-secondary education. The Office of Admissions is located in the Administration building. Prospective students may obtain information about all CSU-Pueblo programs, as well as University admission procedures, from the Office of Admissions. Campus tours are available Monday through Friday. Prospective students should make advance arrangements for a tour by calling (719) 549-2461.

All correspondence concerning admission and campus visits should be addressed to the Office of Admissions, Colorado State University-Pueblo, 2200 Bonforte Boulevard, Pueblo, CO 81001-4901 or by e-mail to info@colostate-pueblo.edu

ENTERING FRESHMEN

Admission Standards

Colorado State University-Pueblo’s admission process is designed to promote diversity within the student population and to assure equal access to qualified applicants. The final admission decision is based on the applicant’s potential for attaining a degree at the University.

First-time applicants are eligible for consideration for admission to Colorado State University-Pueblo if the CCHE admissions index score is 86 or higher. The score can be achieved by various combinations of high school grade-point average and ACT composite or SAT combined scores. Such combinations include:
 

High School GPA	Minimum ACT	or SAT Composite
2.000	25	1120-1150
2.300	22	1010-1040
2.600	20	930-960
3.000	16	750-790
3.300	14	610-680

If applicants do not achieve an index score of at least 86 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, the credentials will be reviewed by an admissions committee which will base a recommendation for admission on:

1. The applicant’s academic and personal potential to benefit from or contribute to University programs; and
    
2. The applicant’s previous academic record. Students with non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  
    
   • NOTE: Acceptance by the University does not necessarily mean acceptance into a particular degree program, some of which have admission requirements beyond those of the University.

Admission Requirements

Students may apply any time after the completion of their junior year in high school. One official transcript of high school work should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the high school, and a final transcript must be submitted after the applicant graduates from high school. Students who apply on the basis of the General Education Development (GED) tests in place of high school graduation must have the agency issuing the GED tests forward the test scores (not the certificate) to the Office of Admissions.

Applicants must submit:

1. a completed CSU-Pueblo application;
    
2. a $25 application fee (non-refundable);
    
3. an official transcript of high school records or GED scores; and
    
4. scores from either the ACT or the SAT.

NOTE: Applicants who have completed their secondary education through alternative options such as home schooling should submit documentation of that education (i.e., transcript, portfolio, narrative statements of accomplishment, etc). Consideration for admission will be in a similar manner as that for applicants from traditional high school programs, but additional emphasis will be placed on scores obtained on standardized examinations.

Graduates of Colorado high schools participating in the standards based admissions project will be considered according to the current state guidelines for that project.


Application Deadlines

For the best scholarship, registration time, and housing considerations, applicants should apply and be admitted as early as possible. Those still in high school may apply once they have completed six semesters. To be considered for a specific term, all documents required for admission must be received in the Office of Admissions by the deadline for that term. Transfer students should allow sufficient time to have transcripts sent from all institutions previously attended.

Application forms and credentials must be filed by the following deadlines:

Fall Semester	August 1
Spring Semester	January 2

For application deadline information for off-campus programs in Colorado Springs and for the External Degree Completion Program, please contact the Division of Continuing Education.

Minimum High School Academic Preparation
Standards (MAPS)

Students who meet the course requirements for graduation from a Colorado high school also meet the minimum academic preparation standards for admission to Colorado State University-Pueblo. However, to be prepared to take full advantage of the University’s academic programs, and to strengthen the probability of graduation and career success, the University strongly recommends that students complete the following course work while in high school:

• Four years of English;



• Three years of mathematics including two years of algebra and one year of geometry;



• Three years of natural science including at least two courses with laboratory work;



• Three years of social studies including U.S. History; and



• Two years of a single foreign language.

Advanced Placement

See Credit by Examination (Academic Policies section).

Basic Skills Assessment

The University complies with statewide policies adopted by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). Effective fall 2001, every public institution of higher education in Colorado is required to assess the reading, writing, and mathematic skill levels of all first-time, degree-seeking students. Students whose assessment scores fall below the minimum requirements must enroll and successfully complete the appropriate remedial course(s) within their first 30 credit hours towards graduation. Basic Skills Levels are determined by ACT or SAT scores. If students do not have an ACT or SAT score they must take the appropriate ACCUPLACER test.

Cut scores are listed below:

CCHE Placement Guidelines
 

Skill Area: Reading

ACT Subscore	SAT Subscore	ACCUPLACER Score
Reading 17	Verbal 430	Reading Comp 80

Skill Area: Writing

ACT Subscore	SAT Subscore	ACCUPLACER Score
English 18	Verbal 440	Sentence Skills 95

Skill Area: Mathematics

ACT Subscore	SAT Subscore	ACCUPLACER Score
Math 19	Math 470	Elementary Algebra 85

For more information on Basic Skills Assessment, contact the Director of Student Academic Services at (719) 549-2225.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students who have attended other colleges or universities and are seeking admission to CSU-Pueblo for the first time must submit:

1. a completed CSU-Pueblo application;
    
2. a $25 application fee (non-refundable);
    
3. official transcripts sent directly to CSU-Pueblo from each college attended; and
    
4. Final high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores must also be submitted if total transfer credits earned are less than 13 transferable semester hours.

Note: Transfer students who have less than 13 transferable collegiate semester credit hours must meet the first-time freshmen standards. This includes international applicants.

Transfer students must be in good standing at the institution last attended and have at least a 2.300 cumulative grade-point average. If not, the records will be reviewed and a recommendation on admission will be made by the admissions committee.

Students who are enrolled at another institution at the time application for admission is made to CSU-Pueblo should arrange to have one official transcript from the current institution sent with the application. A final transcript should be sent when the final term is completed.

Transferred credit will be evaluated as soon as possible after official transcripts have been received from all colleges previously attended and the student has been accepted for admission.

Each student must indicate all previous college experience on his or her application. Applicants may not ignore previous college attendance. Students who fail to inform the Office of Admissions of all previous college work will be subject to delay of admission, loss of credit, rejection of application and/or cancellation of enrollment.

Transfer Agreements

CSU-Pueblo is dedicated to the concept of guaranteed transfer opportunities for students enrolled at any of Colorado’s public two-year and four-year institutions. Information on transfer agreements is available in the Office of Admissions. Additional information appears in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Colorado State University-Pueblo and several Colorado Community Colleges have developed a program to enhance the process for students to transfer to the University known as Destination CSU-Pueblo. Student participants of this program will find transferring to the University simple, seamless, and user-friendly. While enrolled at their home Colorado Community College students will enjoy the services of both their home campus and the University. Upon completion of their Community College studies, they will matriculate to the University and continue progress towards their baccalaureate degree.

The following two-year institutions are participating in the Destination CSU-Pueblo transfer program: Lamar Community College, Otero Junior College, Pikes Peak Community College, Pueblo Community College, and Trinidad State Junior College. Ideally, community college students are encouraged to begin participation in Destination CSU-Pueblo their very first semester at their two-year institution. This program is designed to help students prepare for the transition to CSU-Pueblo by creating an individualized transfer plan and assure that each student meets both their two-year and four-year degrees in a timely manner. Students must submit a participation form in order to enroll in Destination CSU-Pueblo. For more information please contact the Office of Admissions or visit the University website at: www.colostate-pueblo.edu.

Transfer of Credit

Transfer students should be aware of the 10-year time limit on credit earned toward a bachelor’s degree, which applies to both transfer and resident credit. (Additional information appears in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.)

Credit is accepted by CSU-Pueblo from institutions accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools or similar regional accrediting bodies. For credit toward degree requirements, CSU-Pueblo accepts a maximum of 60 semester hours from community or junior colleges and/or a maximum of 90 semester hours from four-year institutions.

Transfer grades and credits are not computed within the cumulative grade point average earned at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Courses completed with a grade of C- or better are accepted in transfer.

Colorado State University-Pueblo may accept the AA or AS degree from other states as fulfilling the University’s general education requirements. Transcripts will be reviewed on request by the Office of Admissions to determine if general education requirements are satisfied. Credit from an institution without regional accreditation may be accepted by petition for transfer after the student has completed at least 24 semester hours at CSU-Pueblo with a C (2.000) average or better.

The University accepts up to eight semester hours of cooperative education courses in transfer. Cooperative education course work, to be acceptable, must include a clearly defined academic element, such as a study plan or reading assignments.

Military service credit is evaluated when official copies of certificates are received at CSU-Pueblo. Courses are evaluated according to the American Council on Education (ACE) Guidelines. A maximum of 20 semester hours of credit is counted toward a baccalaureate degree. Credit is not given for military service work experience.

Acceptance of credit does not necessarily mean that a specific department will accept the same credit toward its major requirements. Each department evaluates transfer courses to determine applicability to major and minor requirements.

All application materials for applicants who decide not to enroll for the term for which they applied will be kept on file in the Office of Admissions and Records for one year.

College Level Examination Program

See Credit by Examination (Academic Policies section).

Appeals Process

If a student disputes the University’s evaluation of credits from other Colorado public institutions, the student must file a written appeal with the Director of Admissions and Records within 15 calendar days of receiving the evaluation. If the student fails to file an appeal within the 15-day period, the decision made in the transfer evaluation will be binding.

The Director of Admissions and Records will have 30 calendar days to review the appeal and notify the student in writing of the decision including the rationale for the decision. In addition, the student will be notified in writing about the process for appealing and the appeal decision should the student feel that reasonable doubt exists.

If the Director of Admissions and Records fails to inform the student of the available appeal options, the appeals decision shall be null and void. The student’s request prevails and cannot be overturned by any institutional administrator or committee.

A student may appeal the first appeal decision in writing to the provost. The appeal must be filed within fifteen (15) calendar days of the postmark date of the letter from the Director of Admissions and Records regarding the first appeal decision.

The University must hear and reach a decision on the appeal within fifteen (15) calendar days after the appeal is filed. The student will be notified in writing by the University of the decision regarding the appeal and the rationale for the decision. In addition, the student shall be informed in writing about the subsequent process for appealing the institutional transfer decision, if the student chooses to do so.

The student may appeal the institutional decision by writing the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the Colorado State University System (CSUS). The appeal must be filed within five (5) calendar days of the postmark date of the letter notifying the student of the institutional decision. If the student fails to file an appeal within this time period, the institutional decision shall be binding.

The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall review and reach a decision on the appeal within five (5) calendar days after the appeal is filed. The student will be notified in writing of the decision regarding the transfer appeal and the rationale for the decision. In addition, the institution shall inform the student that the decision may be appealed further by writing to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). The appeal must be filed within five (5) calendar days of the postmark date of the letter notifying the student of the vice chancellor’s decision.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students who are residents of another country must submit the following to be admitted to CSU-Pueblo:

1. The official international application for University admission, accompanied by a $30 fee for undergraduate admission or $35 fee for graduate admission;
    
2. Two official transcripts of all work completed either in high school or in college (or the equivalent). One transcript must be in the native language, one in English. Both must show courses taken, grades earned, length of classes and length of school terms. All transcripts must bear the official seal of the issuing institution and must be sent by that institution directly to the Center for International Programs. An explanation of all transcript terminology must be included;
    
3. Results of an English language proficiency test. First-time freshmen students: A score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test, a score of 173 on the TOEFL computer-based test, a minimum score of 80 on the Michigan Test of English Proficiency, or completion of the advanced level at CSU-Pueblo’s English Language Institute is required. Transfer students: A score of 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) paper-based test, a score of 173 on the TOEFL computer-based test, or a minimum score of 80 on the Michigan Test of English proficiency is required. In addition, transfer students must have an overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.300 or above. English language proficiency tests are not required of students from countries where English is the native language.
    
4. A financial statement regarding the resources available to the student during his or her stay in the United States. An international student cannot be accepted without this statement.

The Center for International Programs reserves the right to change policy. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Director of Admissions and Records.

No international student application for admission will be considered until all required materials are complete. The Center for International Programs must receive all materials by the application deadlines.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAM

See Credit by Examination (Academic Policies section).

RETURNING STUDENTS

Students who have been enrolled and received a grade notation in a course (see Academic Policies for grade notations), but whose attendance was interrupted for two or more regular semesters, excluding summer, are required to file an application for readmission by the admissions deadline of the semester in which they wish to enroll. Students seeking readmission must submit a $25 reapplication fee (non-refundable). Students whose previous CSU-Pueblo work resulted in a cumulative grade point average below 2.000 (“C”) must also provide a written statement detailing the previous academic difficulties, the student’s plans to overcome these difficulties and any other pertinent information to assist the admissions committee in making a decision.

Students who withdraw, or are withdrawn, from the University for any reason and are subsequently re-admitted after an absence of two or more semesters excluding summers, are governed upon readmission by the catalog current at the time of readmission. Any exceptions to the policy must have prior approval from the provost. Degree-seeking students who have attended another post-secondary institution or have taken college-level correspondence or extended studies courses must provide complete official transcripts of such studies.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL

Undergraduate students who return to Colorado State University-Pueblo after an absence of at least three years and whose cumulative CSU-Pueblo grade point average is below 2.000, are eligible for academic renewal. Students who take advantage of the Academic Renewal Policy will not have grade-point averages carried forward upon readmission. Courses with an earned grade of C- or better are eligible to count toward graduation. Students must be currently enrolled for academic renewal to be processed. Academic renewal will not be granted more than once.

Any college credit earned more than 10 years before the date of readmission is not applicable toward the degree desired unless approved by the chair of the department offering the course(s) [or equivalent(s)], and by the appropriate dean. Courses petitioned for general education credit must also be approved by the Office of Admissions.

Students who elect academic renewal will be required to complete at least 30 hours of credit after readmission before they are eligible for a baccalaureate degree.

The Academic Renewal Application can be obtained from the Records Office.

NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

Students may enroll at Colorado State University-Pueblo as a non-degree seeking student in one of the following categories.

Guest Student:

Special student status is reserved for applicants who wish to enroll in courses without degree-seeking status. Applicants who wish to register as a guest student are required to file an application with the Office of Admissions each term that they wish to enroll.

Guest Students will be permitted to register only during Open Registration.

A guest student may carry up to 15 hours per semester and may earn a maximum of 30 semester hours while maintaining special student status. The student must maintain a 2.000 cumulative grade-point average as a special student. Guest students who wish to exceed the 30-semester-hour maximum may file a petition with the Office of Admissions. However, no more than 30 semester hours may be applied to the baccalaureate degree should the student decide to become a degree candidate.


High School University Program:

Under Colorado’s Postsecondary Options Act, high school juniors and seniors may register for classes at the University. Students must submit an admission application approved by their high school counselor, principal and parents for each term they wish to enroll. In some cases, the high school district may pay students’ tuition. Students in the PSO program are considered non-degree seeking students at the University. Information on such programs is available in the Office of Admissions.

The University also offers a Senior-to-Sophomore (STS) program by agreement with various high school districts. High school students in this program are afforded the opportunity to study in university level courses while remaining in their high school classrooms and are considered classified students by the University. Students must submit an application for admission, transcript of their high school record and ACT or SAT scores. Those STS students who are in their senior year are given consideration for admission as regular first-time students for the fall semester following their high school graduation. Students interested in this program are encouraged to seek information from their high school guidance counselor or from the University’s Office of Continuing Education at 719-549-2316.

Senior Citizens:

Persons 65 years of age or older, or 62 and retired, may audit courses on a space-available, non-degree student basis without paying tuition. Permission of the instructor is required.

RESIDENCE CLASSIFICATION

A person moving to Colorado must be domiciled in the state for 12 continuous months before becoming eligible for a change in residence classification. To qualify for in-state classification for tuition purposes as a resident of Colorado, a person must do more than just reside in Colorado for the preceding 12 continuous months. “Residency” in this context means legal “domicile,” which requires intent to remain in Colorado indefinitely in the sense of making one’s permanent home in the state. The distinction is that one may have any number of residences at one time, but never more than one domicile.

A particularly relevant point is that one retains a former domicile until a Colorado domicile is established by the 12-month residency.

Intent is determined by:
 

1)	The student’s written declaration of intent to remain in Colorado indefinitely, i.e., the student has no present intent to leave the state now or in the future;
2)	Documented evidence of overt actions that link the student to Colorado.

Examples which establish intent are: payment of Colorado state income tax, a Colorado driver’s license, Colorado motor vehicle registration, the compliance with mandatory duty upon a domiciliary of the state, and voter registration. Obviously, the specific actions that establish intent vary according to the individual and the circumstances, but each individual must, with his/her circumstances, act consistently with the stated intent. An information brochure pertaining to the establishment of residency for tuition purposes may be obtained by writing to the Office of Admissions.

A student’s classification as a Colorado resident for tuition purposes is made by the University at the time of admission, according to Colorado statutes. Any student classified as a nonresident who believes that he/she can qualify as a resident may obtain a petition and a copy of the statutes governing tuition classification from the Office of Admissions. The petition is processed only if the student has an application for admission on file or is currently enrolled. The petition is due no later than the day before the first day of class for the semester in which the change is requested. Deadlines are published in each semester class bulletin.

Students 23 years of age or under who are independent from their parents must prove emancipation and demonstrate residency on their own qualifications. Students must notify the Student Financial Services Office if their status changes from resident to non-resident. Any student who willfully gives wrong information to avoid paying nonresident tuition is subject to legal and disciplinary action.